Cave of the Mounds Gem & Fossil Mine
Approximate — check official site before visiting
National Natural Landmark featuring cave tours and a Gem & Fossil Mine. The gem mine offers bags of mining rough with genuine gemstones from around the world, plus geode cracking. Also features blacklight tours, lantern tours, hiking trails, rock gardens, and butterfly gardens.
🪨 What You Can Find Here
Gemstones
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Geodes
Hollow rocks lined with crystals. Iowa's Keokuk region is the Geode Capital of the World.
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Fossils
From shark teeth in Florida to dinosaurs in Montana, the US offers world-class fossil hunting for all skill levels.
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Fluorescent Minerals
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
📍 Nearby Locations in Wisconsin
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Lake Superior beaches for Yooperlites (fluorescent sodalite). Use a UV flashlight at night to find these glowing rocks.
Platteville Galena Mines
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Historic lead-zinc mining district. Mine dumps and exposures produce galena, sphalerite, and calcite specimens. Mineral collecting on public areas.
Wisconsin Lake Superior Agates
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Lake Superior beaches in Wisconsin for agates. Also gravel pits and creek beds across northern Wisconsin.
Point Beach State Forest
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Lake Michigan shoreline with excellent beachcombing for agates, Yooperlites (fluorescent sodalite), and quartz. 6 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline to ...
Wisconsin Moonstone LLC
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Wisconsin's first pay-to-dig site, located just off County Road U in Wausau. Visitors can surface hunt or dig for Wisconsin moonstone and other minera...
Dells Mining Co.
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Family-friendly gemstone mining operation in downtown Wisconsin Dells since 1989. Offers hands-on mining of natural precious and semi-precious gemston...
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Cave of the Mounds Gem & Fossil Mine with the right equipment.
Rock Hammer
The most essential rockhounding tool. Choose a hammer with both a flat striking face and a pointed pick end.
Typical: $25-45
Safety Glasses
Mandatory protective gear. Rock chips fly unpredictably when hammering.
Typical: $10-20
Chisel Set
Cold chisels in 3-4 sizes for precise extraction from matrix rock.
Typical: $15-30
Geologist's Pick
A heavier crack hammer for splitting hard rock. Essential for hard rock mining areas.
Typical: $35-60
Sifting Screen
Stackable mesh screens for sifting gravel and dirt. Essential for gem and fossil hunting.
Typical: $20-40
UV Flashlight
Long-wave UV light for finding fluorescent minerals and Yooperlites.
Typical: $15-35